Hirose Tanso is known as the educator who founded Kangien, a private school, and established the philosophly of'Respect for Heaven' in the latter part of the Edo Period. Tanso studied under Kamaei Nanmei and his son, Shoyo, Confucianists in Fukuoka belonging to the Sorai school.In spite of this fact, many scholars in the modern period have considered Tanso as a mem ber of an 'eclectic group'which attempted to compromise the philosophy of Sorai with that of Chu Hsi. The question whether Tanso was an eclectic or a successor of Sorai's philosopliy is the subject of this paper.I attempt to determine what or who had the most in fluence on Tanso from the following four points.1. Tanso, s Interpretation of Confucian scriptures, the basis of his educational thought.2. His view of learning.3. His view of teaching.4. His view of 'ruling the mind. ' or 'hhe educational aim. 'I make the following conclusions :(1) In his educational thought, Tanso waqs primarity influenced by Sorai, kamei Nasimei. and Shoyo, not Clio Hsi. In particular, Tanso, s idea that tlie main purpose of education was to ensure that each person played his role in society originated from Sorai.2) Where Tanso differs from Sorai is that lie thouglit that 'Tetimei. " tlie mandate froi-n hi thought that 'Tenmei, ' the mandate from heaven, was bestowed upon everyone This thought is clearly related to the fact that Tanso had long been concerned with the education of the common people.